Improved high-efficiency modular boiler for heating systems

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular construction improved boiler for heating systems, which has been specifically designed for reducing the emission of polluting substances, which is characterized in that each boiler module comprises two side metal constructions (2), each of which comprises a closed gap (3), the side wall of which is provided with a plurality of fins (5). These constructions or assemblies (2) can be assembled to the sides of one or more intermediate metal assemblies, each of which comprises a further closed gap (3), the two side walls of which comprise a plurality of cooling fins (8), in order to provide suitable heat exchangers. On the top of these exchangers there are provided suitable combustion chambers (10) for burning therein a gaseous substance pre-mixed with air.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved modular construction boiler, for heating systems, provided with a burner for burning an air-gas mixture, and which has been specifically designed for reducing the emission to atmosphere of polluting substances, such as nitrogen oxides and carbon oxides, and to provide an efficiency as high as possible with a condensing of the combustion products. There are already available on the market a plurality of types of boilers for heating systems, which operate by burning gaseous substances and by condensing the combustion products, as for example EP-A-0547641. Prior boilers of the above mentioned types have the drawback that they are greatly complex, from a constructional standpoint, and in particular with respect to the cooling systems inside the burner associated therewith, in order to reduce the admission of the polluting substances. Accordingly, the above prior boilers have a comparatively high cost, since they are constructed with production cycles requiring comparatively long times. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The document EP-A-0547641 discloses an improved modular construction boiler having essentially the features of the preamble of the main claim. Thus, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned problems and drawbacks, by providing a heating system boiler , including an improved cooling system, and having a modular construction comprising elements which can be easily assembled to one another, so as to greatly reduce the making time and cost of the boiler. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a boiler which is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a boiler for heating systems which has a very low emission of polluting substances, with a very high thermal efficiency and condensing of the combustion products. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved boiler, for heating systems, which is very reliable and safe in operation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an improved modular construction boiler for heating systems, particularly designed for reducing the emission of polluting substances, according to the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the boiler according to the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the main component parts of the improved boiler according to the invention, comprising two metal constructions or assemblies assembled on the sides of an intermediate construction or assembly, and provided with side walls having a plurality of cooling fins, so as to provide a pair of heat exchangers; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the boiler shown in Figure 1, in which there are illustrated further cooling fins provided on the top surface of the combustion chambers. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the boiler for heating systems, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, is characterized in that it comprises a modular construction including several modules. The making of this modules is performed in a very reduced time and, accordingly, the modules will have a very reduced and competitive cost. More specifically, each modular element of the boiler comprises two metal constructions or assemblies 2, each of which includes a closed gap 3, containing water in its inside; the side wall 4 of said gap being so arranged as to present a plurality of cooling fins 5. The assemblies 2 are suitably assembled on the side of one or more intermediate metal assemblies or constructions 6, each of which comprises a further closed gap 7, holding water therein, the two side walls of which being provided with cooling fins 8, which have a shape like that of the above mentioned cooling fins 5. The above mentioned assembling of the modules, which can be easily performed by using known assembling methods, will allow to provide ducts 9, of coil configuration which, as shown in Figure 1, will operate as heat exchangers. On the top of each heat exchanger 9 there is provided a combustion chamber 10, or burner, in which can be burned the mixture of a gaseous fuel, obtained by a pre-mixing of a gaseous substance and air. In particular, this is obtained by introducing a gas, from a tubular duct 11, into the inside of a fan 12. This fan 12 will send the produced gas and air mixture inside said chamber 10, through suitable ducts 13 and grates 14, made of any suitable materials. The top surface of each chamber 10 is moreover provided with a plurality of cooling fins 15, which are shown in Figure 2, and will operate for cooling the grates 14. At the bottom thereof, each heat exchanger 9 communicates by means of a duct 16, arranged at the bottom end portion of the boiler 1, and provided with a pipe 18 for discharging or draining therefrom the condensed combustion products. Thus, during the combustion step of the gaseous mixture, which is performed in the chambers 10, because of a spark generated between the pointed tips of a known construction electrode device, the generated heat will be diffused through the walls of the heat exchangers 9, which, as shown, have a coil configuration. In particular, said walls of the heat exchangers 9 will be cooled by the water circulating inside the side gaps 3 and through the gap 7. The flue gas will be quickly ejected from a stack 17, arranged laterally of the boiler 1, by passing through the above mentioned ducts 16. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended use, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims: An improved modular construction boiler for heating systems, particularly designed for reducing the emission of polluting substances, said boiler (1) comprising a plurality of boiler modules, each comprising two side metal assemblies (2), each of said assemblies (2) including a closed gap (3), the side wall of which is provided with a plurality of cooling fins (5), so as to provide suitable heat exchangers (9) on the top of which there are provided combustion chambers (10) for burning therein a gaseous substance pre-mixed with air, and said two side metal assemblies (2) being adapted to be assembled on the sides of one or more intermediate metal assemblies (6), each of which comprises a further closed gap (7), the two side walls of which are provided with a plurality of cooling fins (8). An improved heating system boiler, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said closed gaps (7) are adapted to hold therein water for cooling said heat exchangers (9). An improved heating boiler according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said heat exchangers (9) have a coil inner configuration. An improved heating boiler according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pre-mixing of gas and air is performed by introducing gas, through a tubular duct (11), inside a fan (12) which will send the gas-air mixture inside said combustion chamber (10), through suitable ducts (13) and grates (14). An improved heating boiler according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top surface of each said combustion chamber (10) is provided with a plurality of cooling fins (15) for cooling said grates (14). An improved heating boiler according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said heat exchanger (9) communicates, at the bottom thereof, with a duct (18) arranged at the bottom end portion of the boiler (1), said duct (18) being adapted to discharge therefrom the condensed combustion products. An improved heating boiler according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flue gas is discharged from a stack (17) arranged laterally or at the rear of said boiler (1).

Inventors: FERROLI DANTE, FERROLI, DANTE, FERROLI, DANTE, C/O FERROLI S.P.A.
Applicants: FERROLI SPA, FERROLI S.P.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F24H1
IPC codes: F24H1